The Foundation works in the U.S. to increase access to invention education and entrepreneurship programs for impact inventors.
In India and East Africa, we fund programs that support inventors creating scalable and sustainable technologies that improve the lives of the poor and vulnerable.
We work globally on climate action initiatives to accelerate and scale up solutions to climate change.
We are strengthening invention ecosystems in both the U.S. and India and East Africa to support pathways for inventors and inventions to take ideas to impact.
Education
Developing STEM-based, invention education
Entrepreneurship
Supporting ecosystems for invention-based businesses from incubation to market
Ecosystems
Fostering regional invention ecosystems for stronger economies
Climate
Leveraging the tools of invention and innovation to improve our climate
Since our founding, we have invested over $300 million in organizations supporting impact invention. Learn more about the projects we fund.
The Black Inventors Hall of Fame identifies Black inventors and entrepreneurial leaders who have invented and produced groundbreaking technological advancements that improve the quality of life around the world. The Lemelson Foundation’s grant funding will support the 2024 STEM Summit to convene visionary individuals of color to help define the educational foundation of STEM and invention education programs across the STEM ecosystem.
Carden of Tucson is a charter school in Tucson, AZ, that teaches invention education at each school level. It serves as the project lead of a 2023 InventEd Action grant aimed at designing educational assessments to identify teaching practices that foster inventiveness among youth through invention education. Co-collaborators include members from the Smithsonian’s Lemelson Center for the Study of Invention Education, Oregon State University, the Society for Science, and Dr. Arylene Simon.
Education Week is a news organization that covers U.S. K-12 education. The Lemelson Foundation’s grant funding will help support the development and dissemination of new education research focused on identifying the needs of diverse students in STEM and invention education.
The Greater Washington Educational Telecommunications Association, Inc. (WETA) is the leading public broadcasting station in Washington, DC. It received support for PBS’s NewsHour to provide Black, Native American, and Latinx youth an opportunity to engage with invention education, using teachers as the vehicle to reach them in an equitable and inclusive manner.
The Henry Ford is a history museum complex near Detroit, Michigan, focused on American innovation. The Lemelson Foundation’s grant funding provides support to integrate justice, equity, diversity, and inclusion into its invention education work, and to sustain a national network of Invention Convention affiliate programs.
The Inclusive Entrepreneurs Foundation provides education and mentorship to early-stage entrepreneurs and youth. The Lemelson Foundation’s grant funding supports the Oregon chapter of the TiE Young Entrepreneurs (TYE) Program to develop entrepreneurial spirit and skills in Oregon high school students through structured invention education, mentoring, and experiential activities.
Indiana University (IU) is one of the leading public research universities in the U.S., committed to innovation and creative solutions for 21st-century problems. The Lemelson Foundation’s grant funding supports research to identify the capacities youth need to be inventive problem-solvers.
The Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) is a research university that has driven development of many areas of modern technology and science. The Lemelson Foundation’s grant funding supports the development of the next generation of inventors through the Lemelson-MIT program (LMIT), advancing invention education as a field of study through scholarly research with a focus on diversity, equity, and inclusion, and expanding support for inventors and invention education educators within local communities. LMIT also received support for distribution of the “Pathways to Invention” documentary about the impact of the LMIT Student Prize for distribution through American Public Television.
The Oregon State University (OSU) Foundation is a nonprofit organization dedicated to raising funds to create and broaden opportunities at OSU. The Lemelson Foundation’s grant funding supports continued provision of invention education to diverse and rural youth in grades K-12 throughout Oregon through its iInvent programs, and to test culturally appropriate teaching approaches, generate new research on the effectiveness of approaches, and reach more students in schools.
OUR L.A. produces educational documentaries and public media about Los Angeles community members. The Lemelson Foundation’s grant funding will support promotion of the “Eddy’s World” documentary about inventor Eddy Goldfarb on PBS and NPR, in addition to national magazines, newspapers, and other media outlets.
The Portland State University (PSU) Foundation raises and manages philanthropic gifts in support of the mission and priorities of Portland State University. The Lemelson Foundation’s grant funding supports the statewide collegiate invention competition Invent Oregon.
The Portland State University (PSU) Foundation raises and manages philanthropic gifts in support of the mission and priorities of PSU. The Lemelson Foundation’s grant funding supports the continuation and expansion of the Oregon MESA program for middle and high school students, including after-school and community invention education programs and teacher professional development.
Project Invent gives educators training and resources for them to implement invention education into their classrooms and prepare students to solve real-world problems. As a recipient of a 2023 InventEd Action Grant, Project Invent will serve as the project lead to guide the research, development, and growth of an invention education ecosystem model, expanding on the InventEd network in collaboration with network collaborators from the Smithsonian’s Lemelson Center for the Study of Invention and Innovation, Arizona State University, and educators from multiple school districts.
The Smithsonian Institution is the world’s largest museum, research, and education complex. The Lemelson Foundation’s grant funding supports the installation of the new sports and invention-related exhibition “Game Changers” and education outreach programs.
Society for Science is dedicated to the promotion of science through education programs and publications. The Lemelson Foundation’s grant funding supports a multi-point engagement strategy with middle schoolers to inspire and educate them through science fairs held across the country.
STEM Next Opportunity Fund seeks to bring about a transformative expansion of high-quality and inclusive STEM learning opportunities. The Lemelson Foundation’s grant funding supports the placement of Senior Policy Fellows in federal government agencies to advance STEM, invention, and equity at the federal level.
The African Centre for Technology Studies (ACTS) is an intergovernmental nonprofit in Kenya promoting policy-oriented research on science and technology for sustainable development and collaborating closely with Kenya’s National Innovation Agency. The Lemelson Foundation’s grant funding supports the strengthening of commercialization systems in Kenya to increase capacity for local innovation to meet social and environmental needs related to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
The American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME) is a nonprofit that helps the global engineering community develop solutions to real-world problems. The Lemelson Foundation’s grant funding supports the ASME ISHOW prototype accelerator competition in India, Kenya, and the U.S., as well as efforts to pilot models for strengthening regional ecosystems.
Collaborative for Frontier Finance is an initiative that aims to increase access to capital for small and growing businesses. The Lemelson Foundation’s grant funding supports mobilization of more investment into local capital providers in Africa who are developing appropriate financing solutions for the undercapitalized enterprises with products and services designed for low-income consumers.
Community Initiatives is a fiscal sponsor, providing administrative and professional services to nonprofit organizations, projects, networks, and initiatives. The Lemelson Foundation’s grant funding supports the development of a formally structured network of philanthropic funders to inspire entrepreneurship, strengthen entrepreneurs, and support programming for members.
Drones Doing Good Alliance aims to strengthen local drone designers and manufacturers in Africa to unlock the full potential of the technology to help achieve the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).The Lemelson Foundation’s grant funding supports the pilot use of an open-source hardware solution to increase the impact of enterprises leveraging technology to increase earning for smallholder farmers and support adoption of sustainable farming practices in Kenya.
Impact Innovators and Entrepreneurs Foundation received support to develop a network of social incubators working in low- and middle-income countries, to foster peer learning in optimizing efficacy and to coordinate efforts to influence broader shifts in the ways that local incubators are resourced.
The Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers exists to foster technological innovation and excellence for the benefit of humanity. The Lemelson Foundation’s funding supports a pre-pilot phase to launch a pilot initiative in India which aims to connect inventors and entrepreneurs from low- and middle-income countries with support from experienced technology and business mentors, as well as funding.
The Kenya Impact Innovations Foundation is a non-profit affiliated with Kenya Impact Incubator Ltd. that seeks to prove the viability of a social business incubation model in Kenya. The Lemelson Foundation’s grant funding supports Villgro Africa for business incubation activities, the development of a pipeline of invention-based enterprises, and the strengthening of an inclusive innovation ecosystem that will increase access to quality healthcare and other biotech innovations in East Africa.
The Kenya Impact Innovations Foundation is a non-profit affiliated with Kenya Impact Incubator Ltd. that seeks to prove the viability of a social business incubation model in Kenya. The Lemelson Foundation’s funding supports the 2024 Bioescalator Venture Studio Pilot, a lean start-up venture studio in Kenya that aims to help entrepreneurs ideate and invent health solutions targeted at improving the health of low-income and underserved populations.
The Oregon Community Foundation is a statewide community foundation that exists to improve the lives of all Oregonians through the power of philanthropy. The Lemelson Foundation’s grant funding supports the assessment, research, and production of the 2024 Oregon Capital Scan, the next iteration in a series of reports on access to capital for entrepreneurs in Oregon by the University of Oregon’s Lundquist Center for Entrepreneurship and Innovation.
Realize Impact provides funding to socially impactful enterprises that otherwise lack access to conventional sources of financing. The Lemelson Foundation’s funding supports the development and launch of the 2024 Delta40 EIR program, which is designed to support African and female climate tech innovators.
Rice University, located in Houston, Texas, is one of the U.S.’s top private research universities dedicated to the betterment of our world. The Lemelson Foundation’s grant funding supports the launch of an Impact Inventing master’s degree program at Kenyatta University, with the intent of demonstrating a new model for Kenyan universities to develop partnerships and contribute to strengthening Kenya’s innovation system to better meet the needs of underserved, low-income populations.
The SELCO Foundation is focused on alleviating poverty in India and fighting climate change through developing and delivering sustainable solutions that enable low-income populations to be a part of transitioning to a regenerative economy, while also increasing their incomes and quality of life. The Lemelson Foundation’s grant funding supports the establishment of a robust, climate-focused, inclusive technology innovation and incubation program and knowledge center.
Venture Partners is a venture capital education, practical skills training, and career development program that helps individuals from underserved, diverse, and minority backgrounds break into the venture capital ecosystem. The Lemelson Foundation’s grant funding provides general operating support.
Villgro is a pioneering incubator of social enterprises in India. The Lemelson Foundation’s grant funding provides support to incubate invention-based enterprises, address systemic barriers to scale, and strengthen the resilience of the invention ecosystem in India.
Action for the Climate Emergency (ACE) is dedicated to educating and supporting youth to understand the science behind climate change, advocate for climate solutions, and lead efforts to address the global climate emergency. The Lemelson Foundation’s grant funding supports ACE’s general operations.
The Alliance for Tribal Clean Energy is an Indigenous-led nonprofit that supports the self-determined efforts of Native American tribes to transition to a clean energy future. The Lemelson Foundation’s grant funding supports the “Indigenous Power and Light Fund,” which helps with the pre-development activities necessary to support Tribes seeking to develop renewable energy projects on their lands.
ClearPath Foundation is a nonprofit with the mission to develop and advance policies that accelerate innovations to reduce and remove global energy emissions. The Lemelson Foundation’s grant funding establishes a fund to accelerate the decarbonization of hard-to-abate industrial sectors.
The Clean Air Task Force is a non-traditional, fact-based, environmental organization that exists to catalyze resilient solutions scaled to meet the climate crisis. The Lemelson Foundation’s grant funding supports civil society organizations in Africa working to address methane emissions.
Climate Breakthrough provides large, multi-year, unrestricted funding to individuals and small teams to help develop innovative strategies to make a globally significant impact on greenhouse gas emissions reductions. The Lemelson Foundation’s grant funding provides support for general operations.
The Environmental Defense Fund is an environmental advocacy nonprofit guided by science and economics, committed to climate justice, and driven to deliver solutions that create a healthier planet for people everywhere. The Lemelson Foundation’s grant funding supports MethaneSAT, an observation satellite to monitor industrial methane leaks across the globe to help combat climate change.
The Instituto Clima e Sociedade (iCS) is a philanthropic organization that supports projects and institutions dedicated to combating climate change in Brazil. The Lemelson Foundation’s grant funding provides support to bring internet connectivity to those monitoring and protecting the Amazon and to develop a roadmap for industrial decarbonization and climate justice in northeast Brazil.
Oil Change International (OCI) is a nonprofit organization using data-driven research, effective communications, and international advocacy to highlight the true costs of fossil fuels and promote a global transition to clean energy. The Lemelson Foundation’s grant funding provides general operating support.
The Rockefeller Family Fund is a U.S.-based, family-led public charity that initiates, cultivates, and funds strategic efforts to promote a sustainable, just, free, and participatory society. The Lemelson Foundation’s grant funding supports the “Funder Collaborative on Oil and Gas,” which aims to create industry accountability for cleanup and decommissioning of methane-leaking infrastructure.
The Rocky Mountain Institute (RMI) seeks to scale transformative change in the global energy system by reducing greenhouse gas emissions by at least 50% by 2030. The Lemelson Foundation’s grant funding supports the acceleration of industrial decarbonization by sourcing, selecting, supporting, and scaling climate tech startups through its Third Derivative (D3) and Climate-Aligned Industries (CAI) programs.
Seeding Justice supports emerging organizations and changemakers on the frontlines fighting for social, racial, gender, disability, economic, and environmental justice. The Lemelson Foundation’s grant funding supports a community-led and -driven process to inform the establishment of the Oregon Community Climate Investments Fund. Specifically, funds will support staff and operational costs to help bridge the gap until the Fund becomes operational and self-sustaining.
Sustainable Energy for All is an international organization that works in partnership with the United Nations and leaders in government, the private sector, civil society, and philanthropy to drive faster achievement toward Sustainable Development Goal 7 — access to affordable, reliable, sustainable, and modern energy for all by 2030. The Lemelson Foundation’s grant funding provides general operating support.
ABET is a certified, quality assurance nonprofit that accredits post-secondary education programs in applied and natural sciences, computing, engineering, and engineering technology. The Lemelson Foundation’s grant funding supports the recognition of innovative approaches to integrating sustainability in ABET-accredited programs as part of the EOP initiative.
The American Society for Engineering Education (ASEE) is a nonprofit organization of individuals and institutions committed to furthering education in engineering and engineering technology. The Lemelson Foundation’s grant funding supports the continuation of the ASEE-EOP Mini-Grant Program, which fosters the integration of Engineering for One Planet (EOP) learning outcomes in diverse engineering courses and programs by supporting faculty curricular development efforts.
ArtCenter College of Design offers a new model for art and design education in the 21st century. The Lemelson Foundation’s grant funding supports the development and embedding of an eight-term program of sustainability learning within the core product design curriculum of its Industrial Design program, as well as its adaptation for related courses taught there and at Pasadena City College.
The Engineering Change Lab-USA (ECL-USA) is a social change lab connecting individuals and stakeholder groups within the engineering community. The Lemelson Foundation’s grant funding will support the development of a fundraising strategy.
Kennesaw State University (KSU) is a student-centered, research-driven institution and the third-largest university in Georgia. The Lemelson Foundation’s grant funding supports increased capacity for its engineering students and faculty to integrate multiple learning outcomes from EOP’s Framework in multiple classes, majors, departments, and schools.
The U.S. National Science Foundation (NSF) is an independent federal government agency that provides funding to advance research and education in science and engineering nationwide. The Lemelson Foundation’s grant funding supports the expansion of engineering education projects at higher education institutions selected by the Research in the Formation of Engineers program in order to amplify the integration of sustainability across engineering programs nationally.
Located in Rochester, New York, the Rochester Institute of Technology (RIT) is one of the top universities in the US for technology, arts, and design, with a deep focus on creativity and innovation. The Lemelson Foundation’s grant funding supports the integration of principles of environmental and social sustainability into higher education engineering curricula at RIT and California State University, Fresno, using the EOP Framework.
The University of Maryland (UMD) in College Park, Maryland, is the flagship institution of the University System of Maryland, one of the nation’s preeminent public research universities, and a global leader in research, entrepreneurship, and innovation. The Lemelson Foundation’s grant funding supports the integration of EOP learning outcomes in diverse engineering courses and programs through faculty training and curricular development efforts.
The University of Maryland Eastern Shore (UMES) is a Historically Black University preparing future generations of scholars for the challenges of the 21st century. The Lemelson Foundation’s grant funding supports the integration of EOP learning outcomes in diverse engineering courses and programs through faculty training and curricular development efforts.
The University of Michigan-Dearborn is a practice-based university dedicated to opening the door to accessible higher education for all students. The Lemelson Foundation’s grant funding provides support for the integration of social and environmental sustainability into multiple engineering courses and programs as part of the EOP initiative through project-based learning.
The University of Texas at Arlington (UTA) is a public research university whose mission is the advancement of knowledge and the pursuit of excellence. The Lemelson Foundation’s grant funding provides support for higher education engineering faculty to integrate learning outcomes from the EOP Framework into their curricula and to share their research findings publicly.
The University of Texas (UT) at Austin is Texas’ leading research university and one of the world’s top public universities. The Lemelson Foundation’s grant funding provides support to integrate sustainability more broadly in its engineering courses through faculty training workshops centered on the EOP Framework.
The University of Utah is a public research university in Salt Lake City and the flagship institution of higher learning in Utah. The Lemelson Foundation’s grant funding supports the integration of learning outcomes from the EOP Framework in courses within four engineering departments.
Villanova is a private research university near Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, dedicated to forging students who ignite positive change everywhere life takes them. The Lemelson Foundation’s grant funding supports the increased adoption of the EOP Framework by developing and delivering models for faculty training and developing a flexible model for institutionalization.
Invention & Entrepreneurship, Climate Action: The African Venture Philanthropy Alliance (AVPA) is a Pan-African network for social investors working to increase the flow of capital into African social ventures and ensure its effective deployment for maximum impact. The Lemelson Foundation’s grant funding supports the African Climate Investment Forum, a program that aims to mobilize more investment into solutions for climate adaptation in Africa.
Invention & Entrepreneurship, Climate Action: The Aspen Institute is an international nonprofit dedicated to driving change through dialogue, leadership, and action to help solve the world’s most challenging problems. The Lemelson Foundation’s grant funding will build capacity related to climate change expertise so that The Aspen Network of Development Entrepreneurs (ANDE) member organizations can support climate entrepreneurs and advocate on their behalf.
Invention Education, Climate Action: NPR (National Public Radio) is an independent, nonprofit media organization that was founded on a mission to create a more informed public. Headquartered in Washington, D.C., it serves as a national syndicator to a network of over 1,000 public radio stations in the U.S. The Lemelson Foundation’s grant funding provides general operating support.
Invention & Entrepreneurship, Climate Action: Rockefeller Philanthropy Advisors (RPA) is one of the world’s largest philanthropic service organizations that accelerates philanthropy in pursuit of a just world. The Lemelson Foundation’s grant funding supports the climate justice movement ecosystem in the Global South.
Invention Education, Invention & Entrepreneurship: VentureWell is an accelerator to help early-stage entrepreneurs and innovators bring their ideas to market through workshops and training, coaching and mentoring, funding, and awards. The Lemelson Foundation’s grant funding provides support to foster inventive mindsets and skill sets in collegiate students and to support faculty to cultivate invention education.
Invention & Entrepreneurship, Climate Action: VertueLab is a nonprofit dedicated to fighting climate change by providing funding to climate tech startups. The Lemelson Foundation’s grant funding provides support for general operating expenses.
Ankur Capital is an early-stage venture capital firm that invests in digital and deep science and technology companies to create impact in the fields of agriculture, healthcare, skill development, and education. The Lemelson Foundation’s PRI funding provides support to enable investments in innovative enterprises, including invention-based enterprises that produce tangible products — in the seed stage that can empower the underserved in India.
Jaza Rift is an impact investment firm based in Nairobi, Kenya, that invests in pre-seed, seed, and series-A stage medtech startups. The Lemelson Foundation’s PRI loan provides capital for the local fund manager to invest in innovative and invention-based, early-stage startups and tech-enabled enterprises transforming people’s health in Africa. These warehoused investments serve as the track record for this first-time manager, who is in the process of raising a fund.
Menterra is a social impact venture capital firm based in Bangalore, India. The Lemelson Foundation’s PRI funding provides support for investment in early-stage, invention-led enterprises with a focus on social impact in India through product innovation in the education, healthcare, energy, and agriculture sectors.
The Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) is a research university that has driven development of many areas of modern technology and science. The Lemelson Foundation’s endowment funding supports the following programs: MITES Fellowships, Lemelson Minority Engineering Fellowships, Lemelson Fund for the Student Machine Shop, Lemelson Technology Research Ignition Fund, and The Lemelson-Vest Fund for Student Invention, given in honor of Charles M. Vest’s contributions to the inventive capabilities of generations of engineers.
NantSound, Inc. is a digital hearing aid company. The Lemelson Foundation’s PRI funding will provide working capital to fund hardware and software engineering necessary to build a production-ready prototype of a low-cost hearing aid.
PRIME Coalition is a nonprofit organization that steers and influences capital to support sustainable solutions to climate change. The Lemelson Foundation’s PRI funding will support the PRIME Equity Fund to invest in companies that have significant potential to influence the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions at the gigaton-scale by 2050.
PRIME Coalition is a nonprofit organization that steers and influences capital to support sustainable solutions to climate change.The Lemelson Foundation’s PRI funding will support the Azolla Ventures Catalytic Fund I to invest in companies that have significant potential to influence the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions at the gigaton-scale by 2050.
Promethean Power Systems develops and designs low-cost solutions for cold-chain food distribution in emerging markets. The Lemelson Foundation’s PRI funding will support its work to improve livelihoods of small dairy farmers in rural India by commissioning new milk chillers, maintaining milk chillers in the field, and training farmers in their use to prevent milk spoilage.
Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, based in Troy, New York, is the oldest technological research university in the U.S. The Lemelson Foundation’s endowment funding supports the Burt Swersey Inventor’s Studio, a state-of-the-art studio for collegiate inventors and entrepreneurs.
SELCO India is focused on alleviating poverty in India and fighting climate change through developing and delivering sustainable solutions that increase income and improve quality of life. The Lemelson Foundation’s PRI funding will support the provision of reliable energy services to 200,000 households in a sustainable way and help create models for poverty alleviation through commercial channels.
The Smithsonian is the world’s largest museum, research, and education complex. The Lemelson Foundation’s endowment funding supports the ongoing activities of the Lemelson Center for the Study of Invention and Innovation to document, interpret, and disseminate information about invention and innovation, encourage inventive creativity in young people, and foster an appreciation for the central role of invention and innovation in the history of the U.S. The Foundation’s endowment funding also supports the Art Molella Distinguished Fellow Position, named in honor of Arthur Molella, first Director of the Lemelson Center, to support an inventor, entrepreneur, writer, or senior scholar in residence at the Lemelson Center each year.
TEAMFund is an impact investor and advisor, transforming global healthcare access through medtech innovation and digital health technologies. The Lemelson Foundation’s PRI funding provides support to increase access to capital in India for medtech companies focused on developing and scaling access to affordable, appropriate, and sustainable medical technologies that effectively address priority unmet clinical needs.
Third Derivative finds, funds, and scales climate technologies to accelerate the rate of climate innovation. The Lemelson Foundation’s PRI funding provides support to create access to more capital for early-stage companies that otherwise would have difficulty accessing financial support from traditional commercial sources to combat and meaningfully impact the adverse effects of climate change.
Unitus Seed Fund is a venture fund based in Bangalore and Seattle that supports early-stage tech startups with potential to scale in India and globally. The Lemelson Foundation’s PRI funding provides support for investment in businesses that serve large, underserved populations to deliver benefits such as improved income levels, education outcomes, and access to affordable, quality products and services.
Ventureast is one of the longest-standing venture capital firms in India. The Lemelson Foundation’s PRI funding provides support to drive investments in companies that are working to benefit people living in poverty.
VertueLab is a nonprofit dedicated to fighting climate change by providing funding to climate tech startups. The Lemelson Foundation’s PRI funding provides support to increase investments in early-stage technology companies that have significant potential to combat and meaningfully impact the adverse effects of climate change and which might otherwise have difficulty accessing financial support from traditional sources of capital.
VilCap Investments is an early-stage investment fund that invests in the world’s most pressing social and environmental challenges. The Lemelson Foundation’s PRI funding provides support to enable VilCap to invest in invention-based enterprises with a focus on solving problems in agriculture, education, energy, and financial services.
